Is this the new protocol on Ebay?

[JunieJay]

As a seller, as soon as payment is received, shouldn’t one at that point leave feedback? I’ve bought and sold a few things on ebay over the last month, and when I sold something, I immediately left feedback when payment was submitted (either by paypal or money order). However, I noticed the things I bought have not received feedback until I left feedback for the seller. That seems so unethical to me. I understand the seller is doing that in order to save themselves if I were to leave them negative feedback, but the two transactions should be separate and apart. My feedback for them should have nothing to do with their feedback for me.

Those of you who ebay often, how do you feel about it? I’m tempted to not leave any feedback for the seller. That just annoys me.

 

[VictoriaT]

I agree- my mom purchased something which we feel was fraudulently described, and when received "significantly not as described" and requested a refund, she was told would not receive her refund unless she agreed not to leave negative feedback. Isn't that awful? They tried to rip her off on the shipping, too! Warning for everyone who sees a "BIG LOT OF RESCUE HEROES" ending 11/11/06- it is a pile of junk! Scratched, dirty, in pieces with no directions on how to put back together! I am amazed at how some people try to take advantage of the situation- it is just a scam! She ended up not leaving feedback at all.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I got kind of annoyed by the whole "feedback" thing when I got a nastygram from a seller b/c I didn't give him positive feedback immediately. Hey, when I get the item, I'll post my feedback-not before. Feedback is like a gratuity, I don't HAVE to put any at all, and if I choose to do it, I decide what kind I leave.

When I've sold items, I've posted feedback as soon as I received payment. I think that's fair.

 

[poohandwendy]

I agree and MANY sellers will disagree with me on this.

As a seller, this is the way I see it. The have completed their end of the bargain when they pay. If something goes wrong and they leave me bad feedback, I can enter a response to it.

I have sold around 1000 items and this has never caused me any problems.

I do not like the idea of holding people 'feedback' hostage.

 

[MyGoofy26]

I still think eBay should set feedback up so that it isn't shown until BOTH parties have left feedback, or a certain date has passed signifying someone forfeited their right to leave feedback. Too many sellers are blackmailing buyers with feedback - take away their chance to see what buyers are saying about them!

I'm sure some will still be ruthless if they think a buyer might leave a neg - but at least it closes a couple doors.

 

[poohandwendy]

I agree- my mom purchased something which we feel was fraudulently described, and when received "significantly not as described" and requested a refund, she was told would not receive her refund unless she agreed not to leave negative feedback. Isn't that awful? They tried to rip her off on the shipping, too! Warning for everyone who sees a "BIG LOT OF RESCUE HEROES" ending 11/11/06- it is a pile of junk! Scratched, dirty, in pieces with no directions on how to put back together! I am amazed at how some people try to take advantage of the situation- it is just a scam! She ended up not leaving feedback at all.

That is not just awful but goes against Ebay rules. If that ever happens to you again or anyone else, please forward their correspondence to Ebay.

You are not allowed to use feedback as a bargaining tool or threat.

 

[JunieJay]

I still think eBay should set feedback up so that it isn't shown until BOTH parties have left feedback, or a certain date has passed signifying someone forfeited their right to leave feedback. Too many sellers are blackmailing buyers with feedback - take away their chance to see what buyers are saying about them!

I'm sure some will still be ruthless if they think a buyer might leave a neg - but at least it closes a couple doors.

I think that is a good solution. You should pass it on to ebay!

 

[poohandwendy]

I still think eBay should set feedback up so that it isn't shown until BOTH parties have left feedback, or a certain date has passed signifying someone forfeited their right to leave feedback. Too many sellers are blackmailing buyers with feedback - take away their chance to see what buyers are saying about them!

I'm sure some will still be ruthless if they think a buyer might leave a neg - but at least it closes a couple doors.

Actually, the second part is already in effect. You cannot leave feedback after I think it is 45 days. Neither party can.

 

[poohandwendy]

I just wanted to add, sellers have to make sure the payment clears and many people do not realize that. Even with money orders, the seller needs to make sure it is valid before they send the item and leave feedback.

 

[kimmikayb]

Big pet peeve for me. And I do think the seller is holding their feedback "captive". Lots of sellers will disagree and have you ever peeked at the message boards on Ebay? Holy cow, those people can get NASTY!

 

[nuke]

I don't leave feedback until it's left for me. I do it to protect myself from the whackos that are out there. If you are a legitimate buyer you may not agree with me but oh well. The cheaters and liars have ruined it.

I had someone not pay me but still be able to leave a negative. Ebay's feedback system is flawed and until they fix it I will keep doing what I'm doing now and not feel bad about it. In fact at this point I don't really care if I get feedback but I always will give feedback to those that have given it to me.

 

[jemiaule]

As a seller I leave feedback once feedback has been left for me. Recieving feedback indicates to me that the buyer received their package safely and was satisfied with the purchase.

I used to leave feedback once payment was made but got burned one too many times by scammers who later disputed the PayPal payment, claimed non receipt (thank goodness for DC), or had put in a credit card chargebacks.

Since I had left them feedback already there was no way I could go back and change that positive to a negative and to warn other sellers. After this happening quite a few times I made it my policy not to leave feedback until the buyer had left theirs.

 

[poohandwendy]

Ironically, I left my first negative feedback today. Guy won 3 items on october 16 , never paid, never communicated after multiple attempts...nothing. Had to file a non-paying bidder dispute and then wait 8 days to close it, so I could relist the items and receive a final value fee credit.

Some people just do not do Ebay as it is intended. Buyers and sellers.

But, for the most part...the vast majority of people I have dealt with have been great.

 

[VictoriaT]

That is not just awful but goes against Ebay rules. If that ever happens to you again or anyone else, please forward their correspondence to Ebay.

You are not allowed to use feedback as a bargaining tool or threat.

My mom wanted to email someone at ebay, but my dad said this happens unfortunately rather often.

 

[cardaway]

As somebody who was feedback blackmailed when I did nothing wrong, no, I would never leave feedback as the seller until the buyer leaves theirs. It was a cheap item so I just gave them their money back rather than receive the feedback hit.

 

[wendyl]

The buyer has more of a responsibility than just paying on time---they have the responsibility to read the description and understand what they are buying and have reasonable expectations. Those who think it is wrong for a seller NOT to leave immediate feedback--probably think that because they ARE responsible buyers who assume everyone is like them.

Unfortunately, not all buyers are like that.

A buyer who buys an Adult costume that is pictured, and described as adult (using that word) in the title and description--then receives it and demands a full refund, after Halloween, including original and return shipping, all because they thought it was a child's costume---and then leaves a negative when that isn't offered---does NOT deserve postive feedback JUST because they paid on time.

A buyer who pays at 10pm on a Friday night and DOESN'T pay for or even ask for Express shipping, and then leaves a negative because the item takes 3 days to arrive instead of the 2 days they were hoping with Priority mail (which was the advertised method of shipping--and the method used to ship the very next morning after he paid)---does NOT deserve positive feedback JUST because they paid on time.

 

[briannesmom]

As a buyer I leave feedback as soon as I receive my item. As a seller I leave feedback when I know that the buyer has received their item (either by receiving feedback from them or checking the DC). When I first started selling I left feedback as soon as I was paid. I ran into a few total nutjobs so I stopped.
I have left 3 or 4 negs since I started on ebay. All for non-paying bidders who didn't respond to the dispute.

 

[Keli]

I used to leave feedback once payment was made but got burned one too many times by scammers who later disputed the PayPal payment, claimed non receipt (thank goodness for DC), or had put in a credit card chargebacks.

Since I had left them feedback already there was no way I could go back and change that positive to a negative and to warn other sellers. After this happening quite a few times I made it my policy not to leave feedback until the buyer had left theirs.

I buy and sell frequently on ebay and I agree with the above poster. You are really leaving yourself open to scamming when you leave feedback before finding out if the buyer received their item and is satisfied with it. And unfortunately scammers have practically taken over ebay. If you are currently selling a high number of items on ebay the odds are good you've come across one or two recently.

 

[lovmy2girls]

I wait until the buyer gives feedback. I have been on ebay a while and I have noticed people don't read the ad fully and expect something else or in a better condition than advertised, etc.....I had a lady leave me neg. feedback for not answering her email. I did answer her email she just didn't check her email account to put me on a "approve" list, some kind of spam blocker. Whatever, she apologized, but the damage was already done.

Another guy left neg. feedback because his computer would not run the CD's he bought for me. Its not my fault, I can't fix stupid, or a dino computer! Or their box is crushed and they blame me and they didn't buy insurance! Why is it my fault that the USPS crushed your box and no way to reclaim any of your money back for your crushed item! I'm unable to walk your box across the country to make sure it arrives safely!

I see both side, because I buy too. Its just not a perfect system, and ebay doesnt' care.

 

[noodleknitter]

I don't leave feedback until it's left for me. I do it to protect myself from the whackos that are out there. If you are a legitimate buyer you may not agree with me but oh well. The cheaters and liars have ruined it.

I had someone not pay me but still be able to leave a negative. Ebay's feedback system is flawed and until they fix it I will keep doing what I'm doing now and not feel bad about it. In fact at this point I don't really care if I get feedback but I always will give feedback to those that have given it to me.

So what about the buyer. How do they know you aren't a whacko? If you are a legitimate seller, you may not agree with me but oh well. What is the difference?

eta: I didn't mean this to sound so snippy! But can't help but feel either side has the same argument.